Legal workplace projects among Equality Fund awards

Projects to tackle sexual harassment and support people with learning difficulties in legal workplaces are among a raft of initiatives to receive Scottish Government-backed funding, announced today.

The Scottish Women’s Rights Centre and social enterprise JRS Knowhow will lead a learning programme for professionals across the sector, training 120 workplace advocates across a range of legal bodies on issues surrounding gender-based violence. Backed by the Law Society of Scotland among other bodies, their Learning with the Legal Sector project will also target leadership teams, partners, and directors to embed and sustain change.

Funding has also been awarded to neurodiversity charity Salvesen Mindroom Centre, which is partnering with Burness Paull and other employers on a pilot scheme promoting neuroinclusion at work. The Centre supports children, young people and families with learning difficulties, such as autism, ADHD and dyslexia, as well as training organisations to create more inclusive environments. The pilot scheme includes a suite of workplace training, best practice round tables and development of resources to support more inclusive workplaces.

A total of 13 projects, out of 54 applications, were successful with their applications to the Scottish Government’s Workplace Equality Fund, launched in 2018 and administered by Advice Direct Scotland. It is designed to ensure that everyone – irrespective of disability, gender, age or race – can fulfil their potential and improve Scotland’s economic performance as a result.

Conor Forbes, director of policy at Advice Direct Scotland, commented: "This initiative acts as a source of financial support for Scottish businesses and organisations that are striving to improve equality-related outcomes for priority groups in the workplace.   

"As an inclusive and progressive organisation with a diverse workforce, Advice Direct Scotland understands how valuable this is.  

"The 13 successful applicants include a range of inspiring projects designed to increase diversity and inclusion in a variety of different sectors, all around Scotland.   

"The Workplace Equality Fund will support employers to address and resolve long-standing barriers facing under-represented groups within the labour market and will help to promote and embed principles of inclusivity and fairness within Scotland’s workplaces."